(20 ILCS 700/3520)
Sec. 3520.
Manufacturing Extension Program.
(a) The
Department may establish, subject to available appropriated funds, a program of
statewide manufacturing extension centers serving the
geographic needs of the State's manufacturers, whose mission is to assist small
or medium-sized manufacturers with technological advancement, for
continuous improvement of business practices for these
firms to be better positioned to succeed against global competition.
(b) The Department may provide grants or may provide cost share or
reimbursements under this Section to support the operation of
manufacturing extension deliverers, including organizations financed through a
federal manufacturing extension partnership program. Manufacturing extension
deliverers can include universities and colleges, regional or sectorial based
organizations, technical
societies, or other similar groups.
(c) The Department may provide grant funds made available under
this Act to support professional development and capacity building of the
manufacturing extension system within the State as may be required for the
administration, operations, research, analysis, promotion, or training of
geographic based manufacturing extension centers.
(d) In determining which applicants shall be awarded a grant,
the Department shall conduct an evaluation of prior compliance with awards
programs; the relationship of a proposed project to the State's future economic
growth; the qualifications and expertise of organizations undertaking the
effort; the applicant's understanding of the requirements and needs of the
target groups served; the potential of the applicant's project to provide an
economic benefit of the State; the methods engaged to measure and track
performance; and the likelihood that the project has a potential for improving
the competitiveness of small and mid-sized manufacturers.
(Source: P.A. 91-476, eff. 8-11-99.)
|